TW202233968A - Functional element, component assembly and method of manufacturing a component assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A functional element for pressing into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part, comprises a functional section; and a fastening section having an abutment surface for introducing a press-in force into the functional element; a workpiece contact surface that is disposed opposite the abutment surface, that can be brought into contact with the workpiece, and that is in particular of a flange-like design; and a sealing region for receiving displaced material of the workpiece, said sealing region being disposed between the workpiece contact surface and the functional section in an axial direction and/or a radial direction of the functional element and forming a contact surface for the displaced material to seal a connection between the functional element and the workpiece, wherein the contact surface has a first part surface, which extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element and which converges viewed in a press-in direction of the functional element, and a second part surface that adjoins the first part surface, that extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element, and that diverges viewed in the press-in direction of the functional element.

Description

Functional component, component assembly and method of making component assembly

The present invention relates to functional elements for pressing into workpieces, in particular sheet metal parts, component assemblies having workpieces with holes, in particular sheet metal parts, and such functional elements, and methods for producing the element assemblies.

Such elements usually have functional sections, which in turn serve to fasten additional elements. They are widely used in the automotive industry, etc.

The functional element can be a screw element, which has a threaded shaft, or a nut element, for example, which can have an internal thread.

Functional elements are known in different designs. On the one hand, for example, a rivet element having a rivet section that deforms when attached to a sheet metal part to form a rivet bead and with a head to form an annular receiver for the edge of a hole in the sheet metal part. With such a rivet element, the functional element deforms when attached to the sheet metal part. Furthermore, press-fit elements are known in which the element itself is not deliberately deformed when attached to the sheet metal part, but the sheet metal material itself deforms to engage the sheet metal part with the undercut of the corresponding press-fit element.

In order to seal the connection between the functional element and the workpiece, in particular sheet metal parts, the parts of the functional element that come into contact with the workpiece are usually coated with a coating provided for this purpose. This coating takes place in a separate manufacturing step, which results in increased workload, resulting in higher costs and increased time requirements. In addition, this solution has an increased environmental impact due to the coating.

The object of the present invention is to provide functional elements and element assemblies, by means of which tight connections can be achieved with relatively little effort compared to previously known solutions and a reduced impact on the environment can be achieved .

This purpose is satisfied by the subject matter of the independent claim item. An advantageous embodiment is the subject of an attached claim.

The functional element according to the first aspect of the invention is suitable for pressing into a workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part, and comprises: a functional section; and a fastening section, the fastening section having an abutment surface, It is used to introduce the pressing force into the functional element; the workpiece contact surface, which is provided with an opposing abutment surface, can come into contact with the workpiece and has in particular a flange-like design; and the sealing area, which is used for receiving the material of the displacement of the workpiece , the sealing region is arranged between the workpiece contact surface and the functional section in the axial and/or radial direction of the functional element. The sealing area forms a contact surface of the material for displacement in order to seal the connection between the functional element and the workpiece, wherein the contact surface has a first partial surface which extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element and which is pressed into the functional element and a second partial surface, which adjoins the first partial surface, extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element and diverges when viewed in the pressing-in direction of the functional element.

The second partial surface adjoins the first partial surface directly or indirectly.

Due to the converging first partial face and the diverging second partial face adjoining the first partial face, the contact face is formed to be designed so that the displaced material of the workpiece can be optimally pressed against the contact for high tightness.

The functional elements can in particular be press-in bolts, in particular press-in bolts with flanges, or nut elements, which are preferably used with ductile sheet metal parts to facilitate the press-in process. In this respect, in the press-fit screw, the shaft preferably has an external thread and forms the functional section. Instead, the nut element preferably has an internal thread forming the functional section. Other features may also be used in place of the threads, for example, these features are suitable for securing additional elements or for providing another function. The functional section can also be formed partially or completely as smooth pins or smooth holes. The fastening section is the section of the functional element that fastens the functional element to the workpiece.

The press-in direction indicates the direction in which the functional element is pressed into the sheet metal part. The pressing-in direction can extend in particular in the axial direction of the functional element, and actually preferably extends from the abutment surface in the direction of the workpiece contact surface. For efficient introduction, the abutment surface and/or the workpiece contact surface advantageously preferably extends approximately perpendicular to the pressing-in direction.

The functional section and the fastening section are preferably formed integrally. The functional element and/or the workpiece can consist of metal. However, the concept according to the invention can also be implemented with elements and/or workpieces composed of other materials.

Functional elements can often be self-priming.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the claims, description and drawings.

The first partial surface is preferably inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 20° to about 40°, in particular about 30°. Thereby, the first partial surface has a relatively small inclination with respect to the axial direction, so that the material of the workpiece can be pressed tightly against the first partial surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the second partial surface is inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 50° to about 70°, in particular about 60°. The second partial surface is thus inclined relatively strongly with respect to the axial direction, so that, in addition to the sealing function, an undercut can also be formed by the second partial surface. The functional element is thus held firmly in or at the workpiece.

In particular, the first partial surface and the second partial surface can extend approximately at right angles to each other.

The first part surface and/or the second part surface can advantageously be conical, so that they each form a surface against which the material of the workpiece can be pressed tightly.

The first partial face is preferably connected to the second partial face by a circular transition area, in order to avoid hollow spaces and consequent leakages at the transition from the first partial face to the second partial face. The radius of curvature of the transition region may in particular be in the range of approximately 0.5 mm or less, in particular in the range of approximately 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm.

A functional element according to a further aspect of the invention is suitable for pressing into a workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part, and comprises: a functional section; and a fastening section having an abutment surface for pressing the pressing An input force is introduced into the functional element; a workpiece contact surface, which is provided with an opposing abutment surface, can come into contact with the workpiece, and in particular has a flange-like design; and a sealing area, which serves to receive the material displaced by the workpiece, said sealing area The functional element is arranged axially and/or radially between the workpiece contact surface and the functional section. The sealing area forms the contact surface of the material for displacement in order to seal the connection between the functional element and the workpiece, wherein the fastening section has a projection which delimits the sealing area in the axial direction and has a first surface facing the sealing area A flank and a second flank remote from the sealing region and extending obliquely and inclined to different angles with respect to the axial direction.

In particular, the projection can be arranged circumferentially at the axis of the functional element designed as a screw element and can also be referred to as a lip. The projections preferably project radially outward, and Include at least a first flank and a second flank. In particular, the first flank can form at least part of the contact surface, in particular the second partial surface.

The protrusions form undercuts which terminate the sealing area and hold the functional element securely in the workpiece. Thereby, the displaced material of the workpiece can be closed in the axial direction between the workpiece contact surface or the contact surface on the one hand and the projection on the other hand. At the same time, the protrusions, in particular the first flanks, can also form part of the contact surface in order to achieve a high sealing effect.

The first flank is preferably more inclined with respect to the axial direction than the second flank. Thus, on the one hand, the effect of the undercut (ie the retention of the functional element in the workpiece) is improved, and on the other hand, the insertion of the functional element is facilitated when the functional element is pressed into the workpiece in the pressing direction of the second flank projection .

In particular, the first flank can be inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 50° to about 70°, in particular about 60°.

In a preferred embodiment, the second flank is inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 15° to about 35°, in particular about 25°.

The first flank and the second flank can advantageously be connected to each other by a connecting section in which the protrusion has a constant diameter, so that the design of the protrusion can be adapted to the environment, in particular the sheet metal thickness of the workpiece, without Impairs flank function. In this embodiment, the connecting section thus extends in the axial direction. The connecting section can preferably extend over about 20% to about 70%, in particular about 40%, of the axial extent of the projection.

The fastening section, eg the workpiece contact surface, in particular has at least one feature which provides security against rotation. Features that preferably provide security against rotation, eg, are arranged evenly distributed in the axial and/or circumferential direction. Features that provide security against rotation ensure that the connection of the functional element to the workpiece can withstand the torque loads subsequently introduced via the functional section load. Features providing security against rotation can be arranged in recesses or peripheral grooves of the fastening section, in particular in the recesses or peripheral grooves of heads of functional elements comprising abutment and/or workpiece contact surfaces.

Features that provide security against rotation may be configured as radially and/or axially extending ribs or grooves. The features providing security against rotation are in particular evenly arranged and extend radially at equal angular intervals to each other.

The workpiece contact surface can have a recess, in particular an annular recess, wherein the first partial surface can preferably extend into the recess and/or merge into the recess.

According to an embodiment, the workpiece contact surface has protrusions in addition to or instead of the recesses. The projections can be of at least partially wedge-shaped design when viewed in cross-section. The wedge shape is preferably inclined towards the first partial face. The first partial face can be incorporated into the raised portion.

One function of the protrusions may be to assist in the displacement of the material of the workpiece into the sealing area upon engagement of the element with the workpiece.

Features that provide security against rotation, if present, may be disposed in the recesses and/or at the raised portions.

In particular, the recess can be oriented opposite to the pressing direction of the functional element, so that the material of the workpiece is at least partially displaced when pressed into the recess and is pressed there in particular against the first partial surface of the contact surface.

In an advantageous embodiment, the workpiece contact surface merges into the first partial surface.

The invention also relates to a component assembly with a workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part, in which a functional element according to at least one of the above-described embodiments is pressed into holes prefabricated in the workpiece or punched out from the functional element . In this respect, the functional element according to the invention is pressed in into the hole so that the material of the workpiece displaced by or after the press-in is received in the sealing area and in close contact with the contact surface.

The displaced material of the workpiece in particular contacts the protrusion or at least partially or completely surrounds the protrusion.

The thickness of the workpiece may be less than or approximately equal to the axial extent of the sealing region, at least in the region of the bore.

Alternatively, however, the thickness of the workpiece may be greater than or approximately equal to the axial extent of the sealing region, at least in the region of the bore.

According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an assembly of elements according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing functional elements according to the invention;

- supply of workpieces, especially sheet metal parts; and

- inserting functional elements into prefabricated holes in the workpiece or holes punched through functional elements, and introducing a pressing force into the abutment surface so that the workpiece contact surface is in contact with the workpiece; and

- Displacement of the material of the workpiece into the sealing area so that the material is pressed against the contact surface to establish a sealed connection between the functional element and the workpiece.

According to an embodiment, the functional element is self-flushing, so that pre-flushing of the workpiece is not necessary.

Displacement of the material can occur by pressing the die against the face of the workpiece remote from the workpiece contact surface. In this respect, the mould is suitably designed to displace the material of the workpiece into the sealing area, so that the material is pressed against the contact surface to establish a sealing connection between the functional element and the workpiece.

In the method, the workpiece is arranged in particular on a support including a suitable mold. The introduced press-in force is then also used to displace the material. However, it is also possible to press the die against the face of the workpiece remote from the workpiece contact surface during or after the insertion of the functional element into the hole and/or the introduction of a pressing force to displace the material of the workpiece.

Displacement of the workpiece material can also be caused by the elements of the element head during press-in.

10: Functional elements

11: Functional Section

13: Fastening section

15: Abutment surface

17: Workpiece contact surface

19: Sealed area

21: Contact surface

23: The first part of the face

25: Second part face

27: Transition area

29: Protrusions

28: Transition Section

31: First flank

33: Second Flank

35: Connecting Sections

37: Features that provide security against rotation

39: Recess

40: Raised part

41: Shaft

43: Head

45: Thread

50: Workpiece

51, 53: noodles

55: Annular groove

100: Component Assembly

E: Press-in direction

T ₅₀ : Workpiece thickness

The invention will be explained below by way of example only with reference to advantageous embodiments. In the drawings that schematically illustrate examples of embodiments,

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a functional element configured as a press-fit bolt according to an example of embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of the functional element of Fig. 1;

Figure 3a shows a half-section of the functional element of Figure 1;

Fig. 3b shows a detail view of area A according to Fig. 3a;

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of a sealing area of a functional element configured as a press-fit bolt according to another example of embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the sealing area of a functional element configured as a press-fit bolt according to another example of embodiment;

Figure 6a shows a half-section of the assembly of elements with press-in bolts as functional elements according to an example of embodiment;

Fig. 6b shows a detailed view of area B according to Fig. 6a;

Figure 7a shows a half-section of the assembly of elements with press-in bolts as functional elements according to a further embodiment example;

Fig. 7b shows a detail view of area C according to Fig. 7a;

Figure 8a shows a half-section of the assembly of elements with press-in bolts as functional elements according to another embodiment example;

Fig. 8b shows a detail view of area D according to Fig. 8a;

9 shows a perspective view of a functional element configured as a nut element according to an example of an embodiment;

Figure 10 shows another perspective view of the functional element of Figure 9;

Figure 11a shows a half-section of the functional element of Figure 9;

Fig. 11b shows a detail view of area E according to Fig. 11a;

Figure 12a shows a half-section of an element assembly with a nut element as a functional element according to an example of an embodiment; and

Fig. 12b shows a detail view of area F according to Fig. 12a.

A functional element 10 configured as a press-in screw with a flange can be seen in each case from FIGS. 1 and 2 , and FIGS. 9 and 10 show a functional element 10 configured as a nut element, said functional element 10 It has a functional section 11 and a fastening section 13 . The fastening section 13 is the section of the functional element 10 with which the functional element 10 is fastened to the workpiece 50, as will be described in more detail below. The functional elements 10 each have a head 43 . The configuration according to Figures 1 and 2 is a pressure The screw-in functional element 10 also has a shaft 41 on which a thread 45 (external thread) is formed. An internal thread 45 (see Fig. 11a) is provided at the functional element 10 configured as a nut element.

The respective head 43 has an abutment surface 15 for introducing a pressing force into the functional element 10 and a flange-shaped workpiece contact surface 17 arranged opposite the abutment surface 15 . In the axial and/or radial direction of the functional element 10 , a sealing region 19 is located between the workpiece contact surface 17 and the functional section 11 , said sealing region 19 having a contact surface 21 of material for the displacement of the workpiece 50 to seal Connection between functional element 10 and workpiece 50 .

The shaft 41 of the element 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 extends from the side remote from the abutment surface 15 . However, it is also possible to arrange the shaft at the abutment surface 15 (in the case of the shaft having a circular cross-section, the abutment surface 15 would be annular). The sealing region 19 is then likewise arranged between the workpiece contact surface 17 and the functional section 11 in the axial view, keeping the other design of the fastening section 13 unchanged.

The design of the contact surface 21 is clearly shown in FIGS. 3 a to 5 . The contact surface 21 comprises: a conical first partial surface 23, which extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element 10 and converges when viewed in the pressing-in direction E of the functional element 10; and a conical second partial surface 25, which When viewed in the pressing-in direction E, it is arranged between the first partial surface 23 and the functional section 11 , adjoins the first partial surface 23 by means of a circular transition region 27 , likewise oblique to the axial extension of the functional element 10 , and is functionally The element 10 diverges when viewed in the pressing direction E. Specifically, the first partial surface 23 may be inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 20° to about 40°, in particular about 30°, and the second partial surface 25 may be inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 50° to about 70°, in particular about 60°. For example, as can be seen in Figures 3b and 4, the two partial faces 23, 25 may extend approximately at right angles to each other. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5 , the angle between the partial faces 23 , 25 may also be greater than 90°, such as up to 135°.

11a to 12b clearly show that the contact surface 21 of the functional element 10 designed as a nut element also comprises a first partial surface 23 and a conical second partial surface 25, the conical second partial surface 25. The partial surface adjoins the first partial surface 23 by means of a circular transition region 27 , which extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element 10 and diverges when viewed in the pressing-in direction E of the functional element 10 . In the present example, the first partial surface 23 extends approximately parallel to the pressing-in direction E; however, the functional element 10 can also be designed such that the first partial surface 23 extends obliquely to the axial direction and converges when viewed in the pressing-in direction E, as in shown by the dashed line in Figure 11b.

In this respect, the press-in direction E denotes the direction in which the functional element 10 is pressed into the sheet metal part 50 as intended. The press-in direction E extends parallel to the axial direction of the functional element 10 from the abutment surface 15 in the direction of the workpiece contact surface 17 , wherein the abutment surface 15 and the workpiece contact surface 17 extend approximately perpendicular to the press-in direction E.

The contact surface 21 (actually the first partial surface 23 ) extends into the (annular) recess 39 of the functional element 10 formed in the head 43 according to FIGS. 1 to 8 b and merges there into the workpiece contact surface 17 . A plurality of radially extending ribs are formed in the recesses 39 as features 37 that provide security against rotation. The recess 39 is also oriented opposite to the pressing-in direction E of the functional element 10 , so that the material of the workpiece 50 is at least partially displaced when pressed into the recess 39 and, in doing so, abuts against the first partial surface 23 .

The functional element 10 according to FIGS. 9 to 11 b does not have this recess 39 . Instead, a wedge-shaped raised projection 40 is provided, which is inclined radially inward and merges into the first partial surface 23 via a circular transition section 28 . In the embodiment example shown, the first partial face 23 has features 37 providing security against rotation in the form of axial ribs distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction. The bulge also There are preferably features 37 that provide security against rotation, here by way of example radial grooves uniformly distributed along the circumference.

If desired, the recesses 39 and projections 40 described above may be combined (and in modified form) and implemented in both the nut element and the bolt element.

Furthermore, the fastening section 13 comprises a projection 29 which extends radially outwards in the circumferential direction and delimits the sealing area 19 in the axial direction. The projection 29 has a first flank 31 which faces the sealing region 19 and on which the second partial surface 25 of the contact surface 21 is formed, and a second flank 33 which faces away from the sealing region 19 . Furthermore, the projection 29 of the functional element 10 configured as a press-fit bolt, unlike the nut element, has an optional connecting section 35 connecting the two flanks 31 , 33 to each other. The diameter of the projection 29 varies along its axial extent and increases in the area of the first flank 31 when viewed in the pressing-in direction E, remains constant in the area of the connecting section 35 and is on the second side Reduced in the region of abdomen 33 . Thus, the flanks 31 , 33 are inclined to the axial extension of the functional element 10 .

As particularly shown in FIG. 4 , the first flank 31 may be more inclined with respect to the axial direction than the second flank 33 . On the one hand, this results in a particularly efficient design of the contact surface 21 and an efficient undercut created by the projections 29 . On the other hand, the relatively slight positioning or inclination of the second flank 33 facilitates insertion of the protrusion 29 into the shaped hole.

Alternatively, the protrusions 29 may be of substantially symmetrical design, so that the inclination of the flanks 31, 33 relative to the axial direction (see eg Figure 3b) is equal, or the inclination of the first flank 31 relative to the axial direction may be less than the inclination of the second side The belly 33 is inclined with respect to the axial direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 . In particular, the first flank 31 may advantageously be inclined by about 50° to about 70° with respect to the axial direction, in particular about 60°, and the second flank 33 may be inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 15° to about 35°, in particular about 25°.

The cooperation of the functional element 10 with the workpiece 50 can be seen particularly clearly from Figures 6a to 8b and Figures 12a and 12b, which each show an assembly of elements 100 according to the invention. As shown, the workpiece 50 is in each case configured, for example, as a sheet metal part with better ductility. The workpiece 50 in each case has a surface 51 which is in contact with the workpiece contact surface 17 of the functional element 10 and a surface 53 which is arranged on the opposite side of the workpiece 50 . The workpiece ₅₀ in the various conditions shown in Figures 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 8a, 8b has an increased thickness T50 to indicate that the concepts according to the present invention can be used for workpieces with the most diverse properties.

The functional element 10 is in each case pressed into a shaped hole provided in the workpiece 50 , for example drilled or pre-punched, so that displacement of the workpiece 50 and in the sealing region 19 and in the recess 39 (if present) is made The material is received and in close contact with the contact surface 21 . This is simplified by the inclined arrangement of the first partial surface 23 , since the material does not have to be pressed so deeply into the sealing region 19 to come into contact with the first partial surface 23 region. In this regard, depending on the thickness T50 of the workpiece ₅₀ , the displaced material of the workpiece 50 contacts the protrusion 29 (Figs. 6b, 8b, 12b) or even completely surrounds it (Fig. 7b). Thus, the functional element 10 according to the invention enables the manufacture of a well-sealed element assembly 100 , practically independent of the thickness T ₅₀ of the respective workpiece 50 .

In particular, the following process may be followed to manufacture the component assembly 100 shown in Figures 6a-7b:

First of all, a functional element 10 and a workpiece 50 according to the invention are provided, in particular a sheet metal part with formed holes formed therein. The functional element 10 is then inserted into the shaped hole so that the workpiece contact surface 17 faces the surface 51 .

In this respect, a pressing force is introduced into the abutment surface 15 and brings the workpiece contact surface 17 into contact with the workpiece 50 . This pressing force can be used such that the material of the workpiece 50 is pushed into the sealing area 19 and pressed against the contact surface 21 . For this purpose, a mold (not shown) can be provided on the surface 53 remote from the workpiece contact surface 17 . Due to the pressing force, the punch of the die is pressed into the face 53 , wherein an annular groove 55 is formed in the region of the workpiece 50 adjoining the hole. Thus, pressing the punch of the die into the region of the workpiece 50 adjacent to the hole displaces the material of the workpiece 50 that flows into the sealing region 19 and the material abuts the contact surface 21 in doing so.

It is also generally conceivable to first insert the functional element 10 into the workpiece 50 and to carry out the step of displacing the material by means of a mold in a separate and/or subsequent step.

In the component assembly 100 of Figures 8a, 8b, the displacement of the material is not achieved by a die with a punch, but the face 53 of the workpiece 50 is provided on a generally flat support surface in the area around the hole. The displacement of the material is achieved here by partially pressing the head 43 into the face 51 . Due to the flat support surface, the material cannot escape downwards and is therefore pushed into the sealing area 19 until it contacts the first partial surface 23 regionally and thus tightly.

In the component assembly 100 according to FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , the displacement of the material is achieved by the projections 40 . The head 43 is not pressed into the workpiece 50, but is merely pressed against the workpiece face 51 until the workpiece contact face 17 contacts it. In this regard, the raised portion 40 penetrates the workpiece 50 . Its radially inwardly inclined wedge shape supports the displacement of the material directly into the sealing area 19 .

It will be appreciated that the above concepts of displacement of material can be combined if displacement of material is useful in the respective application.

The embodiment examples shown and described here have in common that they provide a functional element or an assembly of elements with less effort and without additional sealing means The sealed connection of the component assembly is achieved in the case of By suitable selection of the design, in particular the spatial arrangement, extent and/or inclination of the first and second partial surfaces, the first and second flanks, the transition sections and/or the connecting sections, the functional elements can be adapted in the corresponding conditions of existence.

The above-described embodiment examples relate to functional elements that can be inserted into pre-punched workpieces. However, these elements can also be self-piercing, in particular nut elements or bolt elements whose shafts extend from the abutment surfaces. For this purpose, their fastening sections can be provided with punched edges facing the workpiece.

10: Functional elements

11: Functional Section

13: Fastening section

15: Abutment surface

17: Workpiece contact surface

19: Sealed area

21: Contact surface

29: Protrusions

37: Features that provide security against rotation

41: Shaft

43: Head

E: Press-in direction

Claims (23)

A functional element (10) for press-fitting a workpiece (50), particularly a sheet metal part, the functional element (10) comprising: functional section (11); and Fastening section (13) with: an abutment surface (15) for introducing a pressing force into the functional element (10); a workpiece contact surface (17), which is arranged opposite said abutment surface (15) so as to be in contact with said workpiece (50), and in particular has a flange-like design; and A sealing area (19) for receiving the displacement material of the workpiece (50), the sealing area (19) being arranged on the workpiece contact surface in the axial and/or radial direction of the functional element (10) Between (17) and the functional section (11) and forming a contact surface (21) for the displacement material to seal the gap between the functional element (10) and the workpiece (50) connect, The contact surface (21) has a first partial surface (23), which extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element (10) and extends in the pressing direction (E) of the functional element (10). and a second partial surface (25), adjoining said first partial surface (23), oblique to said axial extension of said functional element (10), and in the direction of said functional element (10) Divergence when viewed in the indentation direction (E). According to the functional element (10) of claim 1, It is characterized in that the first partial surface (23) is inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 20° to about 40°, in particular about 30°. A functional element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that the second partial surface ( 25 ) is inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 50° to about 70°, in particular about 60°. The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterised in that the first partial surface (23) and the second partial surface (25) extend approximately at right angles to each other. The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Characterized in that the first partial surface (23) and/or the second partial surface (25) are conical. The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Characterized in that the first partial surface (23) is connected to the second partial surface (25) by a circular transition region (27). A functional element (10) for press-fitting a workpiece (50), in particular a sheet metal part, in particular a functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the functional element (10) )include: functional section (11); and Fastening section (13) with: an abutment surface (15) for introducing a pressing force into the functional element (10); a workpiece contact surface (17), which is arranged opposite said abutment surface (15) so as to be in contact with said workpiece (50), and in particular has a flange-like design; and A sealing area (19) for receiving the displacement material of the workpiece (50), the sealing area (19) being arranged on the workpiece contact surface in the axial and/or radial direction of the functional element (10) Between (17) and the functional section (11) and forming a contact surface (21) for the displacement material to seal the gap between the functional element (10) and the workpiece (50) connect, The fastening section ( 13 ) has a projection ( 29 ), which delimits the sealing region ( 19 ) in the axial direction, and has a surface facing the sealing region ( 19 ). A first flank (31) and a second flank (33) remote from the sealing area (19) and extending obliquely and inclined at different angles with respect to the axial direction. According to the functional element (10) of claim 7, It is characterized in that the first flank (31) is more inclined with respect to the axial direction than the second flank (33). A functional element (10) according to claim 7 or 8, It is characterized in that the first flank (31) is inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 50° to about 70°, in particular about 60°. The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, It is characterised in that the second flank (33) is inclined with respect to the axial direction by about 15° to about 35°, in particular about 25°. Functional element (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, It is characterised in that the first flank ( 31 ) and the second flank ( 33 ) are connected to each other by connecting sections ( 35 ), wherein the projections ( 29 ) have a constant diameter. The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, Characterized in that the first flank (31) forms at least a part of the contact surface (21). The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, Characterized in that the fastening section (13), in particular the workpiece contact surface (17), has at least one feature (37) that provides security against rotation, preferably a plurality of features (37) that provide security against rotation. Security features (37). According to the functional element (10) of claim 13, It is characterised in that said features (37) providing security against rotation are formed as radially and/or axially extending ribs or grooves. The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, It is characterized in that the workpiece contact surface (17) has a recess (39), in particular an annular recess, wherein the first partial surface (23) preferably extends into the recess (39). The functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, It is characterized in that the workpiece contact surface ( 17 ) has projections ( 40 ), in particular, wherein the projections ( 40 ) have a wedge-shaped design at least in part when viewed in cross section, and/or in particular ground, wherein the first partial surface (23) is incorporated into the raised portion (40). Functional element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, Characterized in that the workpiece contact surface (17) is integrated into the first partial surface (23). A component assembly (100) with a workpiece (50), in particular a sheet metal part, and a functional element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the functional element (10) is pressed into a hole prefabricated in the workpiece or pressed into a hole punched by the functional element (10), so that the workpiece (50) displaced by the pressing in or after the pressing in Material is received in the sealing area (19) and in close contact with the contact surface (21). Component assembly according to claim 18, It is characterised in that the displaced material of the workpiece (50) contacts the projection (29) or at least partially or completely surrounds the projection (29). Assembly of components according to claim 18 or 19, Characterized in that the thickness (T ₅₀ ) of the workpiece ( 50 ) is less than or approximately equal to the axial extent of the sealing region ( 19 ) at least in the region of the hole. Assembly of components according to claim 18 or 19, Characterized in that the thickness (T ₅₀ ) of the workpiece ( 50 ) is greater than or approximately equal to the axial extent of the sealing region ( 19 ) at least in the region of the bore. A method of manufacturing a component assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising the steps of: - providing a functional element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 17; - supply of workpieces (50), in particular sheet metal parts; and - inserting the functional element (10) into a prefabricated hole in the workpiece or a hole punched through the functional element (10) and introducing a pressing force into the abutment surface (15), bringing the workpiece contact surface (17) into contact with the workpiece (50); and - Displacement of the material of the workpiece (50) into the sealing area (19) so that the material is pressed against the contact surface (21) for the connection between the functional element (10) and the A sealed connection is established between the workpieces (50). The method for manufacturing a component assembly (100) according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: - pressing the die against the face (53) of the workpiece (50) remote from the workpiece contact surface (17) to displace the material of the workpiece (50) into the sealing area (19), The material is pressed against the contact surface (21) to establish a sealed connection between the functional element (10) and the workpiece (50).

Images